In Matthew 25: 31-46 Jesus teaches about the end of the age of grace. He will begin is Millennial reign, sitting on His thrown.
Some have read this passage and conclude, mistakenly in my opinion, that Christ's division will be based on works.
But I believe "giving to Christ what He needed" refers to giving Christ, by those physically living at that time, trust, love and commitment.
In verse 40 we see that the sheep are "brothers" [siblings] of Christ, thus those having been born anew as children of God.
And on the other left side, the goats are described as not giving Christ what He needed. Perhaps they had never heard the gospel because it was not presented or because like Soil #1, they had lost their ability to understand the spiritual milk of the gospel. And of course, the many who had sought the narrow door. but never finding it, would have failed to fully embrace the gospel, like Soil #2 or #3 of Matthew 13. Their love for and commitment to Christ was not sufficient, such that Christ would or had become the overriding priority of their lives.
The key take away here, as in Matthew 7:21-23 is to do the "will" of the Father, which John presents with crystal clarity:
“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in [into] Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” [John 6:40 NASB]
Consider this argument for literal and historical interpretation which leaves opinion out.
A most important adverb for understanding. If understanding takes place one must believe this word in the text.
5119 tote [tot -eh]
from (the neuter of) 3588 and 3753; adv;
AV-then 149, that time 4, when 1, not tr 5; 159
1) then
2) at that time
This is the Olivet Discourse of Jesus Christ, answering three questions of four apostles. It took place on late Wednesday eve after Jesus left the temple for the last time, a symbolic gesture (Ichabod). This was during the last week of the ministry of Jesus on the earth before his crucifixion and resurrection. For 4 straight days he had been ministering to Israel in the temple, arriving early in the mornings and staying late in the day and spending his nights on the Mount of Olives. His throne and place of his earthly residence of King of the Jews and of the world is in the temple in Jerusalem. He had ridden in to Jerusalem on day one on a donkey proclaiming himself as King of the Jews. When Jesus Christ our Lord returns to earth, he will abide in the Ezekiel temple. Here are how important the individual words of the KJV are.
Mt 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit
in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
He will sit IN the throne of his glory. If your Bible does not say "in" the throne, you probably are not going to learn this.
Mt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mt 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Mt 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mt 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not.
Mt 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mt 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mt 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mt 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mt 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mt 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [them] other five talents.
Mt 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Mt 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mt 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mt 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mt 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?
Mt 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mt 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Mt 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me.
The church and this age is not in view here. It is hidden at this time. It is not yet revealed. This is about the earthly kingdom and his second coming.
This is a progressive time line from the destruction of Herod's Temple in 70 AD to the glorious inauguration of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in righteousness on the earth.
We must believe the words or we have opinions.
